Crime & Justice

Bell corruption trial: Deliberations hit snag over 1 juror

Former assistant city manager of Bell, Calif., Angela Spaccia who is charged with misappropriation of public funds and other counts, listens to opening statements in Los Angeles Superior Court, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. Jurors were still deliberating on Tuesday on 13 counts against her.
Al Seib/AP

Deliberations hit a snag Tuesday in the Bell public corruption trial of former assistant city manager Angela Spaccia.

The jury foreperson sent the judge a note explaining that a male Hispanic juror was having trouble comprehending the evidence because of a language problem.

But in addressing the court, that juror seemed to speak and understand English just fine. He told the judge that he was just confused and couldn’t focus because his fellow jurors were all talking at once.

The judge ordered the panel back into deliberations.

According to the foreperson’s note, the jurors have only decided on three of the 13 felony counts against Spaccia. She’s accused of misappropriation of public funds, conflict of interest and other counts.